Improvement in fruit-gatherers



A. J. SHUNK.

FRUIT GATHERER.

No.187;491. Paume@ Feb. zo, A1877.

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ALEXANDER J. SHUNK, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-GATHERERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,491 dated February520, 1877; application filed J nly 22, 1876.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER J. SHUNK, ot'` Des Moines, in the countyof Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvementin Fruit-Gatherers; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation ofthe same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part ot'this specification, and to the letters and gnres of reference markedthereon.

The figure of the drawing is a representation of a side elevation, partsectional, of my fruit-gatherer.

This invention relates 4to devices for pick` ing fruit; and it consistsin a fixed rim, to which is attached a sack or sleeve, in combinationwith a hinged cup or hollow jaw, and devices for opening and closing thesame, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the annexed drawing, AA designate the sections of a fruit-gatheringpole or handle, said sections being detachably connected by means of pina on section A, and L- shaped slot al in sleeve a2, fixed on section A.To the upper end of section A is rigidly secured an upright metal hoopor ring, B, which forms the rim of the opening ot' fruit sack or sleeveC. The attachment'ot' said ring to said section A is by means of a Wire,I), which is bent round said ring, and secured by its end b to the endof' said handle-section. Opposite to rim or hoop B is hinged a cup, D,which consists ot' a wire frame covered by some flexible material, andcorresponds to the shape of one-half of the fruit. From thelower partofthe front ot' this cup extends a short hinged arm or link, E, whichpasses between arms b b, and is hinged at its outer end to the upper endof sliding rod F. Said sliding rod moves in slotted guide-plates ff,which are rigidly 'secured to handle-section A', and it is attached bylink f at its lower end to cylindrical metal slide G, which is providedwith anger-piece, G`

When said finger-piece G is drawn or pressed downward the hinged cup Dis drawn against hoop B, inclosing and detaching the fruit, which fallsinto the sack C. A slight pull on the pole or handle will aid in thisoperation.

The device is automatically opened for further use by the followingmeans: To vertical sliding rod F, between guide-plates f f, is secured adisk, f2, and between said disk and flower plate f a helical spring, H,is wound around said rod. This spring operates to force said disk androd upward, throwing back cup D in readiness for use again.

A number of apples, peaches, or other fruit may be plucked in thismanner before sack O becomes too heavy for convenient use. It shouldthen be unloaded into the basket or other receptacle provided to receivethe fruit.

Many slightvchanges may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention. For instance, a retracting-sprin g may be substituted for oneoperating by expansion, the. lower end being secured to disk f2, and theupper end attached to the upper guide-plate. Again, the handle or polemay be made in one piece, or the sections A A may be attached togetherby any known fastening device other than that shown, and applicable tothe purpose designed. Also, the vertical sliding rod F may be iliade inone or more pieces, as preferred. There may be. one attaching end ot'wire Z), instead of two, -and cup D may be constructed entirely ot metalor any suitable material; but I prefer the construction shown anddescribed What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The handle A A', having slotted guideplates ff and slide G, incombination with the hoop B, provided with' a sack, O, hinged cup D,link E, sliding rod F, disk f2, and spring H, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination ot' handle A A with slide G, finger-piece G', linkf1, sliding rod F, slotted guide-plates ff, disk f2, and spring' H,substantially as and forV the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the pres-ence ot' two witnesses.

ALEXANDER J SHUNK.

Witnesses:

J. C, Lorna, P. HosTETTEE.

